Ratchet mechanism



Patented May 19, i942 RATCHET MEcnANrsn/r Siegmund Mandi, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Blackhawk Mfg. Co., :Milwaukee Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application January 1 8, 1940, Serial No. 314,435 l Cl. 1in-43.2) This invention relates in general to improve- 16 Claims.

ments in the art of converting oscillatory movement into intermittent rotary motion, and relates more specifically to improvements inthe construction and operation of ratchet mechanisms and in handles for actuating such mechanisms.

Generally defined, an object of the present invention is to provide improved ratchet vmechanism for converting oscillatory movement into intermittent rotary motion, and improved means for actuating such mechanisms.

It has heretofore been proposed to provide a ratchet mechanism comprising an annular head provided with internal ratchet teeth and a handle, a tool shank having a transversely slotted portion rotatable within the head, a dogslidable in the shank slot and engageable with the head teeth, and a spring pressed tumbler oscillatable about the shank axis to shift the dog so as to reverse the ratchet action. While this prior type of ratchet mechanism has proven quite satisfactory for ordinary usage, the spring pressed tumbler which holds the dog in operative position and which is used for reversal of the ratchet action, is rather complicated and diicult to construct and to install in smaller sizes of ratchet wrenches, and these tumblers are moreover specially adapted for use in ratchet assemblages utilizing more than one dog. The previous ratchet wrenches moreover had no simple means for readily varying the operating stroke, thus restricting their utility and making it dicult, if not impossible, to operate these tools in'cramped quarters.

It is therefore a more specific object of the present invention to provide various improvements in the construction of ratchet wrenches of the above dened type, whereby such ratchet assemblages are simplied and their utility is enhanced to a maximum.

Another specific object of my present invention is to provide anew and useful ratchet dog and reversing assemblage which is extremely simple, compact and durable in construction, and which is moreover highly efficient and vflexible in use. I

A further specific object of the invention is to provide a new and useful ratchet actuating handle assemblage whereby the eiective length of the handle may be quickly and conveniently varied to suit different conditions of operation.

Still another specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved ratchet mechanism comprising relatively few sturdy parts which can be easily constructed, assembled and dismantled, and which willresist great force.

An additional specific object of the invention is to provide an'improved ratchet wrench which can be manufactured and sold at moderate cost, and which can also be quickly and positively converted from right to left hand operation, and vice versa.

These and other specific objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of the several features constituting thepresent invention, and of the mode of constructing and of manipulating ratchet vmechanisms embodying the improvement, may

be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a part sectional side elevation of one of my improved ratchet wrenches, showing the handle in section and at maximum length;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the wrench `of Fig. 1, the section being taken through the ratchet assembly and handle, and showing the handle at minimum length, and alsoV showing the central assembly stud and the ladjoining locally fiattened shoulder ofthe driven member in elevation;

Fig. -3 is a transverse section through the ratchet assembly of the tool shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the section being taken along thevline 3-3 of Fig. 2; l

Fig. 4 is a transverse section through the driving head of the ratchet assembly of Fig. 2, taken along the line 4 4, the central driven member being shown in elevation;

Fig. 5 is still another similar section through. theA ratchet assembly, taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, but showing the central assembly stud of the driven member in elevation;

- Fig. 6 is a top view of the ratchet assembly of Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, showing one type of reversing ring;

Fig. 7 is another similar View of a ratchet assembly, showing a modified type of reversing ring;

, Fig. 8 is still another similar View of a ratchet assemblage, showing a further modified type of While the improvement has been shown herein as being specifically applied to a manually manipulable tool having the ratchet interposed between a handle of variable length and a male type of shank, it is not the intent to unnecessarily restrict the scope or utility of the invention by virtue of such specific embodiment.

` Referring to the drawing, the improved manually manipulable ratchet wrench shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, comprises in general an annular head I6 having a continuous circular series of internal teeth II and also having an integral laterally extending arm I2` provided with a tapered portion I3 and a threaded extreme end portion I4; a reversible tubular handle I5 having a long socket I6 and a short socket I1, both provided with adjacent tapered ends I3 separated by an internally threaded part I9; a driven member 2U having an integral polygonal shank 2I provided with a ball latch 22, and also having acylindrical portion 23 disposable within the series of teeth II and provided with a transverse slot 24 and a recess 25 extending laterally away from the slot 24; a dog`26 snugly confined within and slidable along the slot 24 to bring either of its ends into operative engagement with the teeth II, the dog 26 having two conical side detents 21 facing the recess 25, and having a transverse top groove 28; a dog restraining and retaining ball 29 disposed Within the recess 25 and being constantly urged toward the detents 21 by a compression spring 33; a top plate or washer 3I coacting with a shoulder 32 formed integral with the cylindrical portion 23 to prevent relative rotation, and having an arcuate slot 33 therein; a shifting ring 34 having a pin 35 penetrating the slot 33 and extending into the dog recess 25; and `a ring nut 36 coacting with a threaded stud 31 formed integral with the shoulder 32 concentrically of the shank 2I and providing a journal for the shifting ring 34.

The portion of the arm I2 adjoining the taper I3, is cylindrical and formed to snugly coact with either of the handle sockets I6, I1, and when the handle portion I9 and socket I1 are applied to the arm portions I4, I3 as in Fig. 1, the handle I5 is disposed at considerably greater distance from the axis of the head III, than when the handle portion I9 and socket I6 are applied to the arm portions I4, I3 as in Fig. 2. This variation in the effective length of the operating handle may be quickly and conveniently effected with the aid of the threaded portions I4, I9, and the tapered portions I3, I8 of the arm I2 and handle I5 respectively, provide a firm attachment and eliminate undesirable play or looseness between the parts.

The one piece driven member 20 comprises the shank 2 I, cylindrical portion 23, shoulder 32, and threaded stud 31, and the shoulder 32 has a fiattened portion 38 for preventing rotation of the slotted washer or plate 3i relative to the member 2D. The slot 33 formed in the washer 3I should be long enough to avoid interfering with movement of the pin 35, and the ring 34 is rotatable upon the ring nut 36 so as to cause the pin 35 to shift the dog 26 from one operating position to another. The pin 35 may obviously be formed integral with the shifting ring 34, if so desired. The ball 29'normally coacts with one of the conical detents 21 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and the spring 30 resiliently restrains the dog 26 against movement along the slot 24 in either direction. When the ring 34 is rotated, however, the ball 29 will be depressed against the action of the spring 30, and the ball will then be transferred from one detent 21 to the other so as to reverse the action of the ratchet.

In order to permit the ring 34 to be readily rotated or oscillated, the periphery of this ring in the smaller wrenches, may be provided with serrations 39 as clearly shown in Fig. 6. In larger tools, wherein the resistance afforded by larger springs 35 is greater, the shifting ring 34' may be formed with gripping portions 49 such as shown in Fig. 7. In still larger wrenches, the ring 34 may be provided with lugs 4I as shown in Fig. 8, for permitting the use of a wrench instead of the fingers, when reversing the action of the Wrench.

During normal use of the improved ratchet mechanism, the handle I5 should rst be applied to the arm I2 in a manner best suited to the particular conditions of operation involved, and the ring 34 should be adjusted to produce the desired operation of the ratchet. The shank 2I of the assemblage may then be applied to a socket whereupon the handle I5 and arm I2 may be oscillated. Swinging movement of the arm I2 in one direction will cause the dog 26 to be forced against the action of the spring 30 and ball 29, along the slot 24 so as to permit the successive vteeth I I to ride over the active corner of the dog 26. Swinging motion of the arm I2 in the opposite direction will cause the flat faces of the teeth II to engage the active corner of the dog 26 and will positively prevent relative rotation between the member 2|] and the head I0. Successive oscillation of the arm l2 will therefore cause the member 20 and the portion of the work Which is associated with the shank 2I, to rotate intermittently. The ring 34 may be quickly adjusted to shift the dog 26 into the opposite end of the slot 24, thereby reversing the action of the ratchet and producing reverse intermittent rotation of the Work when the arm I2 is oscillated. During such shifting of the dog 26 the ball 29 will be transferred from one detent 21 to the other, and whenever the ball 29 coacts with one of these detents 21 it should normally be positioned as illustrated in Fig. 3. The entire assemblage may be quickly dismantled upon removal of the nut 36 from the threaded portion 31, and reassembly of the structure may be just as quickly affected.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be apparent that my present invention provides a ratchet wrench which is simple, compact and eiiicient in operation and in which the eifective length of the operating handle may be quickly varied. The improved handle assemblage besides being variable in length, is also highly effective in use and permits considerable variation in the force which may be applied to theY tool.A

The improved dog 26 is not only simple in con-` struction, but is adapted to eiiectively resist'rela tive rotation of the head I0 and member 20 in one direction, while permitting such relative rotation in the opposite direction. The ball and spring mechanism for resiliently restraining the movement of the dog 26 and for permitting rapid reversal of the ratchet mechanism, is so simple that it can be readily applied to Wrenches of relatively small sizes, and the entire mechanism is extremely simple yet highly eicient in operation. The spring pressed ball 29 may obviously be replaced by any other type of plunger movable along its confining recess, and while the dog is shown as being of rectangular prismatic form, the shape of this dog may be varied. The teeth 0f the annular series are preferably formed of approximately 90 cross section and may be formed by broaching, and all parts of the mechanism may obviously be readily machined. In larger units, two or more of the dogs 26 and latch balls 29 may be utilized, and while the member 20 as shown has a male shank 2|, this shank may obviously be replaced by a socket or the like. My improved ratchet mechanism has proven highly successful in actual commercial use and can be readily manufactured at moderate cost.

`As shown in Fig. 9, the reversing pin or pins 35 may be secured to or formed integral with the dog or dogs 26, and the shifting ring 44 would in that case be provided with recesses for receiving the pin ends. By forming the pins 35, 35 integral with their carrying elements, the number of parts in the assemblage is reduced to a minimum, and these pins can obviously be formed integral either with the dogs 26 or with the shifting ring in order to thus simplifyV the assemblage.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact details of construction, or to the precise mode of use herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may appear to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In combination, a head having an annular internal series of ratchet teeth and an arm for oscillating the same about the axis of annularity of said series, a member having a portion rotatable within said tooth series and provided with a transverse slot and a recess extending laterally of said slot, a tooth engaging dog slidable in said slot and having adjacent detents facing said recess, a ball reciprocable within said recess toward and away from said detents and being fixed against displacement longitudinally of said slot, a spring for urging said ball toward said dog, and means for shifting said dog along said slot to transfer said ball from one of said detents to another.

2. In combination, a head having an annular internal series of ratchet teeth and being formed for oscillation about the axis of annularity of said series, a member having a portion disposed within said tooth series and provided with a slot 3. In combination, a head having an annular internal series of ratchet teeth and being formed for oscillation about the axis of annularity of said series, a member having a portion disposed within said tooth series and provided with a slot extending from one side of said series to the other, said member having a central recess extending away from said slot, a tooth engaging dog slidable in said slot and having a pair of adjoining detents facing said recess, a plunger element reciprocable Within said recess toward and away from said dog and being positively held against movement longitudinally of said slot, means for urging said element toward said dog, and a member rotatable about said axis and being cooperable with said dog to shift the latter from one end of said slot to the other to transfer said element from one of said detents to the other.

4. In combination, an oscillatory head having an annular series of internal ratchet teeth, a member rotatable within said series and having a transverse slot and a central recess extending away from said slot, a tooth engaging dog slidable in said slot and having adjoining detents facing said recess, a plunger element confined in said recess and being cooperable with said detents but fixed against lateral displacement, and means for shifting said dog from one end of said slot to the other to transfer said element fromv one of said detents to the other.

5. In combination, an annular head having internal ratchet teeth and an arm for oscillating the same, a wrench member having a transversely slotted portion within said head and a central recess extending away from the transverse slot, a dog slidable in said slot and having adjoining detents facing said recess anda groove spanning said slot, a spring pressed plunger conned in said recess and alternately cooperating with said detents but being fixed against lateral displacement, and means journaled on said member for transferring said plunger from one of said detents to the other.

6. In combination, an annular head having internal ratchet teeth and an arm for oscillating the same, a wrench member having a transversely slotted portion within said head and a central recess extending away from the transverse slot, a dog slidable in said slot and having adjoining detents facing said recess and a groove spanning said slot, a spring pressed plunger conned in said recess and alternately cooperating with said detents but being fixed against lateral displacement, a Washer fixed against rotation relative to said member and having a slot adjacent to said groove, and a shifting collar journaled onsaid member and having a pin piercing said washer slot and coaoting with said groove to shift said dog and transfer said plunger from one of said detents to the other.

7. In combination, an oscillatory head having an annular series of internal ratchet teeth, a motion transmitting member rotatable centrally of said series and having a transverse segment shaped peripheral slot and a central recess radiating from said slot toward the axis of annularity of said series, a dog slidable along said slot and being alternately engageable With the teeth at the opposite ends of the slot, said dog having a pair of laterally adjacent independent detents facing said recess, a plunger element confined to radial movement within said recess and being alternately cooperable with said detents, and means for shifting said dog from one end of said slot to the other to transfer said element from one detent to the other.

8. In combination, an oscillatory head having an annular series of internal ratchet teeth, a memberrotatable within said series and having a segment shaped peripheral slot and a central recess terminating at said slot, a dog slidable along said slot and being alternately engageable with said teeth at the opposite ends of said slot, said dog having two independent laterally separated but adjoining conical detents facing said recess, a spring pressed ball confined to radial movement within said recess and being alternately cooperable with said detents, and means for shifting said dog from one end of said slot to the other to transfer said ball from one detent to the other.

9. In combination, an oscillatory driving member having a continuous annular series of internal ratchet teeth, a driven member having a cylindrical portion rotatable centrally Within said series and provided With a transverse peripheral slot and a central recess radiating from the axis of annularity of said series and terminating at said slot, a tooth engaging dog slidable from one end of said slot to the other and having a pair of independent adjoining conical detents facing said recess, a spring pressed element confined to rectilinear movement Within said recess and being alternately cooperable with said detents, and means for shifting said dog from one end of said slot to the other to transfer said element from one detent to the other.

10. In combination, an oscillatory driving member having a continuous annular series of internal V-shaped teeth, a driven member having a cylindrical portion embraced by and rotatable centrally Within said series, said cylindrical portion having therein a transverse segment-shaped peripheral slot; and a recess radiating from the axis of annularity of said tooth series and terminating centrally Within said slot, a tooth engaging dog slidable from one end of said slot to the other and having a pair of independent adjoining conical detents facing said recess and separated by a sharp ridge, a spring pressed ball confined to rectilinear movement within said recess and being alternately cooperable With said detents, and means for shifting said dog from one end of said slot to the other to transfer said ball over said ridge from one detent to the other.

11. In combination, an oscillatory head having a continuous series of internal ratchet teeth, a Wrench member having a portion rotatable Within said series and being provided with a transverse slot and a recess adjoining said slot, a tooth engaging dog slidable in said slot and having adjoining detents, a plunger element conned in said recess against movement along said slot and being cooperable with said detents, and means for shifting said dog from one end of said slot to the other to transfer said element from one of said detents to the other.

12. In combination, an oscillatory head having a continuous series of internal ratchet teeth, a wrench member having a portion rotatable within said series and being provided With a transverse slot and a recess adjoining said slot, a tooth engaging dog slidable in said slot and having adjoining detents, a plunger element conned in said recess against movement along said slot and being alternately cooperable With said detents, and a shifting ring cooperable with said dog to move the same from one end of said slot to the other to transfer said element from one of said detents to the other.

13. In combination, a head swingable about an axis and having an annular series of ratchet teeth, a Wrench member rotatable about said axis Within said series and being provided With a transverse slot and a recess adjoining said slot, a tooth engaging dog movable along said slot and having adjoining detents facing said recess, a plunger element confined in said recess against movement along said slot with said dog but being movable toward and cooperable with said detents, and means for shifting said dog along said slot to transfer said element from one of said detents to the other.

14. In combination, a head swingable about an axis and having an annular series of ratchet teeth, a wrench member rotatable about said axis within said series and being provided with a transverse slot and a recess adjoining said slot, a tooth engaging dog movable along said slot and having adjoining detents facing said recess, a plunger element confined in said recess against movement along said slot with said dog, means for resiliently urging said element toward said detents, and means for positively shifting said dog along said slot to transfer said element from one of said detents to the other.

l5. In combination, an oscillatory head having an annular series of ratchet teeth, a driven member rotatable Within said series and being provided with a slot and a recess adjoining said slot, a tooth engaging dog movable along said slot and having adjoining detents, a plunger element retained by said recess against movement along said slot b-ut being movable toward said detents, and means for shifting said dog along said slot to transfer said element from one detent to another.

l5. In combination, an oscillatory head having an annular series of ratchet teeth, a driven member rotatable within said series and being provided With a slot and a recess adjoining said slot, a tooth engaging dog movable along said slot and having adjoining detents, a plunger element retained b-y said recess against movement along said slot, a spring constantly urging said element toward said detents, and means for positively shifting said dog along said slot to transfer said element from one detent to another.

SIEGMUND MANDL. 

